Defence Headquarters
A lieutenant in the Nigerian Army, one Warrant Officer and 16 soldiers
were yesterday arraigned before a General Court Martial for offences
ranging from communicating with the enemy, cowardly behaviour, murder
and manslaughter, among other offences. They were being tried by the 3
Armoured Division in line with its operational responsibility.
At the inauguration of the court, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3
Armoured Division, Major-General Ebiobowei Bonna Awala, remarked that
the accused soldiers facing the court martial from the 3 Armoured
Division, Joint Task Force (JTF), Maiduguri and Special Task Force
(STF), Plateau State, had been duly investigated for the various
offences they were alleged to have committed.
Awala said the court martial was one of those instruments conferred on
him by virtue of the Armed Forces Act Chapter A 20 Laws of the
Federation of Nigeria to address problems of this nature. He said
discipline was the fulcrum upon which the military career rests, adding
that discipline and loyalty were two essential requirements no officer
or soldier who wants to succeed in professional soldiering can afford to
lack.
“It is the duty of superiors to observe, correct and instantly deal
with negligence or any misconduct on the part of subordinates. When
there is any breach, it is expected that appropriate disciplinary
measures must be taken by commanders to forestall future occurrences.
This way, the Nigerian Army can continue to play its constitutional role
and sustain its accolade as the pride of the nation.
“It is with a heavy heart, though, that I have to convene this General
Court Martial, being the first within four months of my assumption of
duty as the GOC of the division. However, I must state that if this
division is witnessing this court martial, it is because I want to
sustain the high level of professionalism required to confront the
mounting security challenges in the division area of responsibility.
“I enjoin all parties to this court martial to discharge their duties
expeditiously and with a degree of commitment that will ensure the
accused persons know their fate in good time,” he stated.
He said for effectiveness, the legal system must be fair and just and
implored the court martial to ensure that no effort is spared to achieve
the three-way traffic of the justice system for the accused, the
Nigerian Army and the state.
“At the point where a person is convicted of an offence, the sentence
ought to be passed. Such sentences must be humanely meted out.
Punishment is among the means available for the maintenance of
discipline in the Nigerian Army. As such, the kind and amount of
punishment should be adequate enough to achieve its purpose and serve as
a deterrence to others.
“Due consideration should also be given to first-time offenders and
those who plead guilty while bearing in mind the gravity of the offence.
Justice must be seen to be done. With this in mind, let me urge the
president and members of this court to uphold the tenets of fairness and
impartiality in the proceedings of the court and the dispensation of
justice,” he added.
Awala said the society expects that justice be done in the process of
the court martial, adding that the soldiers who were appearing before
the court would go through the process of a proper trial, given that
they have lawyers of their choices.
According to him, “The prosecutors will do their job, the defence
people will also do their job, while the Judge- Advocate, Colonel
Dorothy Wilson-Ekwo, will also ensure that the court martial sits
properly and does exactly what is expected of the court."
The president of the military court, Colonel Afolabi Olonisakin,
inaugurated the five-man panel while most of the accused pleaded not
guilty to the charges levelled against them.
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